Sending Braille

[pne]

I sent off a letter in Braille to the States on Monday… I hope it'll get there all right.

Apparently, the United States Postal Service and the German Post Office have different criteria for which items are eligible for free posting, as I found out while searching for how the USPS would like to have such items labelled.

Part 274.2 of the USPS International Mail Manual says that eligible mail must be marked "FREE" and "MATTER FOR THE BLIND"; as for what items are eligible, part 270 refers to part E040 of the Domestic Mail Manual, specifically to E040.2.0, which says, among other things, The matter must be for the use of a blind or other physically handicapped person. (check) but also that Letters prepared in any form by sighted individuals […] may not be sent free and must bear the full applicable postage. Oops; bummer.

However, I figure that if the German post office accepts the item for free mailing, the USPS should carry it as well; the German policy is explained (in German) on this page and say that "anyone" can send certain items free of charge, including internationally, among which are Schriftstücke in Blindenschrift (Braille-Schrift) (written documents in braille), with no mention of eligible senders or recipients.

Which is kind of cool; I can send letters free of charge throughout the world! Though obviously only to recipients who can read Braille, and only via surface mail.

Comments

[node-ue.livejournal.com]

Isn't that sort of reverse-discrimination? Sighted people have to pay to send letters (in Germany, they have to pay if they don't send letters in Braille I guess), but blind people get to send letters for free (at least as long as they're in braille). But, then, if the same concept were applied to minority languages - ie, "No Postage Nessecary for Letters in Söl`ring" - I would be supporting it so I guess I shouldn't complain. (speaking of which, that's a good idea! That way, people who know a minority language will use it more often in letters than they would otherwise to get the free postage)

[pne.livejournal.com]

In the States? I suppose so.

I think that the German approach (whether it's free depends on what's inside the envelope, not on who sent it or who's going to receive it) is easier to monitor and enforce, as well; the US approach relies in a list of approved recipients of "free matter for the blind" that each regional postmaster must, in theory, keep.

Though it's a conscious reverse-discrimination because otherwise, blind people would be disadvantaged due to the fact that Braille text is a lot bulkier than print.

[pne.livejournal.com]

But, then, if the same concept were applied to minority languages - ie, "No Postage Nessecary for Letters in Söl`ring" - I would be supporting it so I guess I shouldn't complain. (speaking of which, that's a good idea! That way, people who know a minority language will use it more often in letters than they would otherwise to get the free postage)

Hm, interesting. An attractive proposition -- and one way to do a little bit to help preserve endangered languages!

[leora.livejournal.com]

Yes. And Braille books and audiobooks cost roughly 3 times as much as print books.

If I wanted a copy of the Bible in Braille, it'd cost over $600 US.

So, suck up and deal.

While I'm not too clear on the US laws, I do know that the organizations that sell supplies for the blind, such as Braille books, writing equipment, etc. send all their packages with free postage. There isn't even an option on the web site to say, I am sighted and thus should pay postage. I don't know how that works.

[nik-w.livejournal.com]

So blind people can send each other letters in braille for free, but sighted people can't send letters in braille for free. What if a blind person typed a letter out - would they be able to send that for free?

Also, how would they know that you are a sighted person? Are the USPS going to phone up the sender of every braille letter and ask them if they are blind? Seems like a pretty unenforcable rule to me.

[pne.livejournal.com]

So blind people can send each other letters in braille for free,

*nods*

but sighted people can't send letters in braille for free.

*nods* At least in the US.

However, blind people can send sighted people letters in braille for free.

What if a blind person typed a letter out - would they be able to send that for free?

According to section E040.3.0 of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual (http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/E040.htm#Rby49060), they can do so only if the letter is in braille or in 14-point or larger sightsaving type or in the form of sound recordings.

So if they type it on a regular typewriter, it doesn't count (I guess typewriter type is 10 or 12 points or thereabouts). However, if they print it out on a computer using an 18 pt font, it'd work.

Handwritten letters are also specifically disallowed (regardless of how large the letters are).

Also, how would they know that you are a sighted person?

Good question.